The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is installing crossing gates at freeway on-ramps across the state.

The railroad-style crossing gates, first installed in Racine County a decade ago, will close access to sections of the interstate during emergencies. The gates will be able to prevent traffic access without tying up troopers, deputies, or police officers.

According to Anne Reshadi, a traffic operations supervisor with the Wisconsin DOT, the barriers and gates will be installed at 130 to 140 ramps across the state by the end of the year. The first railroad-style gates will stand in Milwaukee County at the Brown Deer Road and Good Hope Road interchanges on Interstate 43. In 2011, Reshadi estimates that an additional 75 gates will be installed at interchanges statewide.

Based on previous bids, the gates cost between $9,000 to $14,000 each.